(Photo by Stephen Koranda)Governor Sam Brownback is proposing more services for veterans in Kansas. The proposal includes a $1.4 million renovation of a veterans’ home in Fort Dodge. It would also add 40 beds to a veterans’ facility in Winfield.
In addition, the state would hire four new outreach personnel to help veterans access the benefits they’ve earned. Brownback says most of the money for the services would come from federal programs. The plan will be part of the governor's budget proposal being submitted to the Legislature this month. Lawmakers return to the Capitol next week.
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Governor Sam Brownback has a plan to beef up veterans' services in Kansas. As KPR’s Stephen Koranda reports, the proposal would include improvements at two facilities and new workers aimed at helping veterans.
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The plan would include a $1.4 million renovation of a veterans’ home in southwest Kansas. It would also add 40 new beds for long-term care services to a veterans’ facility in Winfield. Gregg Burden is executive director of the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs. He says under the proposal, they’ll also be looking to hire four new staff members to help veterans access the benefits they’ve earned.
“And we’ll be working at identifying the most needed places across Kansas. Our veterans services officers are so busy across the state. There’s such a need that’s out there. This will give us the opportunity to reach those veterans who need those services and need those benefits.”
Around 12 percent of Kansas veterans currently are receiving benefits. In some other states with more outreach that number is around 20 percent. Part of the proposal would be funded by federal dollars and part through state dollars. The plan will be included in the governor’s budget proposal released next week.